In July 2025, something pretty shocking happened. People across the country grabbed what they thought was a can of Celsius energy drink, cracked it open expecting a burst of caffeine… and ended up sipping vodka instead.
Seriously.
It turns out that a batch of Celsius Astro Vibe “Sparkling Blue Razz” cans were mislabeled, and actually filled with High Noon vodka seltzer. No warning. No proper label. Just straight-up alcohol in what looks like your average energy drink.
This kind of mix-up is bad for anyone, but for someone in recovery? It’s not just a recall. It’s a crisis.
Let’s break down exactly what happened, and why this matters more than most people might realize.
What Actually Happened?
Between July 21 and July 23, 2025, High Noon shipped some of its Beach Pack Variety 12-packs to stores in states like Florida, Michigan, Ohio, New York, and several others. Inside those packs, where you’d expect to find High Noon vodka seltzers, there were also cans labeled as Celsius energy drinks.
But those cans weren’t filled with energy drink. They were filled with High Noon vodka.
Here’s the kicker: both High Noon and Celsius use the same supplier for their empty cans. Somewhere in that process, a batch of Celsius-labeled cans ended up getting filled with alcohol.
The affected cans are easy to miss unless you’re looking closely. They have silver tops instead of the usual black ones, and if you check the bottom of the can, you’ll see lot codes that range from L CCB 02JL25 2:55 through L CCB 02JL25 3:11.
No injuries have been reported. But that doesn’t mean damage wasn’t done.
If You’re Sober, This Isn’t Just a Mix-Up
Let’s be real. If you’re in recovery, your guard is up every day. You check ingredients, skip certain places, maybe even avoid people or situations just to stay on track. So the idea that something as ordinary as a Celsius can could knock you off course? That’s terrifying.
It Can Trigger a Relapse
For some folks, even a sip of alcohol—accidental or not—can lead to cravings, guilt, and a full-blown relapse. Imagine doing everything right, making all the tough decisions, only to get blindsided by a mislabeled drink. That kind of mistake hits deep.
It Messes With Your Head
You might start questioning yourself. “Did I just blow all my clean time?” “Should I start over?” Even though you didn’t mean to drink, it can feel like a setback emotionally.
And let’s not pretend like that voice in your head won’t start whispering, “Well, you already drank one… maybe just one more.”
This is exactly why people in recovery need the world around them to at least label things correctly.
This Isn’t Just About Recovery—It’s About Trust
It’s easy to chalk this up as a one-time error. A freak accident. But the fact is, this kind of slip-up makes people question every product they buy.
If you’re a parent, do you have to start checking every can your teen grabs at the gas station?
If you’re someone with a medical condition—or taking medications that don’t mix with alcohol—how do you know you’re safe?
And if you’ve been sober for months or even years, how do you go forward trusting that what you’re drinking is actually what the label says?
People should be able to trust what’s on the can.
What You Can Do Right Now
1. Check Your Cans
If you bought any High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs in July, check for Celsius cans inside. If they have silver lids and one of the affected lot codes, don’t drink them. Just toss them. Or call the company for a refund.
2. If You Drank One—Talk About It
If you’re in recovery and accidentally drank one, you didn’t relapse. You had no idea what was inside the can. But you should still talk about it. With your sponsor, your therapist, a friend, or a group.
Don’t sit on it. Don’t let shame fester. Accidents like this mess with your head, and keeping it to yourself only makes it worse.
3. Remind Yourself: This Was Not Your Fault
You didn’t mess up. A manufacturer did. It’s unfair, it’s frustrating, but don’t carry guilt that doesn’t belong to you.
4. Share the Info
Tell your friends. Tell your group. Post about it. The more people know, the less likely someone else will get caught off guard.
This Isn’t Just a Mistake. It’s a Wake-Up Call.
We live in a world where energy drinks and alcohol look more and more alike. Same skinny cans. Same fruity flavors. Same shelf placement. It’s not just a design choice—it’s a marketing move. But now we’re seeing the real-life consequences.
Brands need to do better.
And we need to be louder when stuff like this happens.
Because the truth is, people are trying to get their lives back. They’re working hard to stay sober. And they shouldn’t have to second-guess whether the drink in their hand is secretly vodka.
Where We Go From Here
High Noon and Celsius have issued statements. They’re cooperating with the FDA. That’s fine. But this can’t stop at a press release and a refund hotline.
There needs to be real accountability. That might mean:
- Tighter quality control at the manufacturing level
- Better visual differences between brands (especially alcohol vs. non-alcohol)
- Third-party audits of shared suppliers
- More aggressive recall notices, including direct alerts to consumers
This is about more than preventing bad PR. It’s about keeping people safe.
If You’re Feeling Shaken, That’s Valid
Recovery is a personal journey. Whether you’re 10 days sober or 10 years, your guard is always up. And moments like this can rattle even the most grounded person.
You might be mad. Confused. Hurt. All of that makes sense.
Don’t brush it off. Don’t pretend you’re fine if you’re not. Talk to someone. Journal. Go to a meeting. Get some fresh air and remind yourself: you’re still sober. You didn’t make this mistake.
A Personal Note
I’ve worked with people in recovery for years. I’ve sat with folks who’ve cried after accidentally tasting alcohol in a cake. I’ve seen what it does when someone thinks they’ve slipped, even if they didn’t mean to.
So yeah, when I saw this recall, my first thought wasn’t “That’s a bummer for the company.”
It was, “I hope no one in recovery drank this and thought it was their fault.”
Because it’s not.
And if that’s you? You’re still on the path. Don’t let this take you off it.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth:
- A mistake was made. A big one.
- People could’ve been seriously affected.
- Especially those working hard to stay sober.
Let this be a reminder. Not just to check your drinks. But to take your recovery seriously. To protect it. To speak up. To hold companies accountable. And to support one another when the world feels like it’s working against you.
If you or someone you love is in recovery, this isn’t just a headline. It’s a moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to what really matters.
Stay vigilant. Stay connected. Stay sober.
You’ve got this.
